Today Whats App has officially been released for BlackBerry smartphones. WhatsApp is a smartphone to smartphone messenger, much like BBM, but with the sole purpose of bridging the gap between BlackBerry and iPhone user. If you remember back in November, we talked to the developer of WhatsApp, Jan Koom, on the BlackberryOS Web Show.

The application has evolved from it's initial concept and delivers on connecting BlackBerry with iPhone users. You may ask why WhatsApp over say Google Talk. WhatsApp is much like SMS, in that it simply uses your phone number. So all you need to know is your friend's phone number, and you can easily message them. Of course the messages are sent using data rather than actual SMS.

One of the benefits of this is that if you have a friend in another country, you aren't having to pay an enormous SMS fee just to send the friend a message. You can also set a status just like in BBM as well. WhatsApp is available in App World for $2.99. Once installed, there's no need to add buddies since it automatically connects to your address book. If you have friends that just don't want to convert to BlackBerry, WhatsApp certainly helps bridge the communication gap between you and their iPhone in fashion that's much like BBM.

Ok, since I'm a newbie to bb, will every sms that comes in go to what'sapp? Are iphone users the only ones that have to download this to their phone as far as my friends are concerned? Can I take text messaging off my phone plan now if I install this app?

Never mind, went to bb app world and found the answers, sorry!! :crazy: